Roofing-tile



(No Model.)

T. B. ATTERBURY.

ROOFING TILE.

No. 253,174. Patented Feb. 7,1882.

N. PLTERS. PhnXo-Lilhognphcr. Wnshmghm. n. c.

UNTTED STATES PATENT Q FFIQEO ROOFING-TILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 253,174, datedFeloruary 7, 1882.

Application filed December 10, ISSI. (No model.')

To all whom it may concern:

.same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures ot'referenoe marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is the production of tiles or shingles for roofing and weatherboarding purposes made of glass or other vitreous materials, which shall be comparatively inexpensive in manufacture, and can'be applied or placed in position by any ordinary workman; and to this end my invention consists of atile or shingle made of glass or other vitreous material, adapted to be placed on the roof with break and lap joints, as in the ordinary shingle roof, and provided with lugs or inclined portions to form a continuous bearing-surface for the tile or shingle.

My invention consists, further, in certain details of construction hereinafter more fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a roof or siding composed of my improved tile or shingle. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of one form of tile having longitudinal grooves therein and running parallel with the sides of the tile. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of a tile with rounded corners and with the grooves extending in a slanting or diagonal direction from the edges toward the center of the tile. Fig. at is a view in perspective of the under side of the tile shown in Fig. 2, clearly showing the tapering lugs or flanges. Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of two tiles, showingthe solid or compact manner in which they lie when in position.

A indicates the tile or shingle, made by preference of glass, either plain or colored, and of any desired configuration-i. 6., they may be rectangular, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, may be rounded at the corners, as shown in Fig. 3, or the lower portion of the tile may taper to a point in the center, the point or central portion being designed to lap over the tiles next below to cover the joint; in fact, many modifications or. forms may be given to the lower portion of the tile, either to cheapen the cost of production or for aesthetic effect, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I make the tiles, by preference, about twelve inches long by eight inches wide, and on the underside, extending from a little above the center to the upper end of the tile, I form taperin g or wed ge-shaped lu gs or offsets a, for interlockin g with the top of the tile next below. The lugs or flanges (t taper from a little above the center of the tile or shingle to the top thereof, where they merge into or become of practically the same thickness as the main body of the tile.

If desired, there may be formed on the un-.

or more of the tapering lugs or flanges a, or

this entire portion may be made a solid tapering flanged projection, tapering from the offset I) to the top of the tile, without departing from the spirit of my invention; but when I make the tiles of glass Iprefer to make them with two-or more flanges, as it makes the tile lighter and can be more perfectly annealed.

c c are segmental perforations or grooves in the upper-portion of the tiles to receive the nails or screws for securing the tiles to the building, and are countersunk, as shown, to receive the head of the nail or screw, so it will not project above the surface of the tile. This is a very important feature, for the reason that in driving the nails or screws there is less liability to break or fracture the tiles, as would be the case if the perforations were made wholly within the body of the tile.

d d are grooves formed in the lower upper surface of the tiles, for the purpose of facilitating the drainage of water from the roof, and also to prevent the water from gathering at the joints.. The grooves may be made parallel with the sides of the tile, as shown in Fig. 2, or diagonal,as shownin Fig.3; or,iustead ofgrooves d, ribs or projections may be formed, which will answer the purpose equally well.

In laying the tiles I first start with plain slabs B, of glass or other material, of the same 'if properly laid there will be no open joints,

thickness as the tiles, which are properly secured in position. The first row of tiles are now laid and secured in position with the flanged portion or shoulder b resting on the upper edge of the plate B, and the work proceeded with in the usual manner, care being exercised to break joints. The joints may be sealed with suitable cement, if necessary; but

and the surfaces where the tiles overlap each other being smooth and mathematically true, the tiles will lie so closely together that there will be no possible chance for the water to get underneath them.

It is obvious that these tiles or shingles can be used to advantage in weather-boarding or siding, houses, and will be. found specially useful in the construction of conservatories and hot-houses when the tiles are made of transparent glass. The shoulders or offsets a at their thickest portion are of the same thickness as the upper end of the tile, and when laid form a continuous bearing-surface for the tile, the lower end of the tile resting on the upper end of the tile next below, so that the tiles can be used on comparatively flat roofs,

and will admit of persons walking thereon, without liability to fracture or break.

Havingth us described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. A tile or shingle made of glass or other vitreous material, adapted to be placed on the roof with break and lap joints, as in the ordinary shingle roof, and provided with lugs or inclined portions a to form a continuous bearing-surface for the tile or shingle, as set forth.

2. A tile or shingle constructed substantially as described-that is to say, with the horizontal under surface having wedge-shaped or inclined portions on its upper outer edges running parallel with each other and forming supports for the upper end of the shingle or tile, and adapted to be laid or secured in position shingle fashion, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOS. B. ATTE RBURY.

\Vitnesses:

DANL. P. BERG, J ULIUs S'rENGEL. 

